Slowest Passenger Route

[dk1]

I would like to nominate Ipswich to Lowestoft.

1h42 to cover 49 miles = 28.82 mph average.

You must be quoting the 15.54 SX which has an irregular path & waits time at Beccles. Most are now 1h26 which i admit is not great. Plans afoot to up some line speeds but as always it is who will pay.

 

[D365]

Northern City Line (GN Inner-Suburban, Finsbury Park-Moorgate with 313s) has a 30mph limit all over - LU regulations are followed.

 

[W230]

Fairly sure the Barking - Gospel Oak line is slow going for much of the line. Certainly is between Gospel Oak and Blackhorse Road. I've never gone any further on it though!

 

[craigwilson]

The Marshlink, as I referred to earlier, with its 20 mph limits, does the entire route, Ashford to Brighton, 66 miles 54 chains, in 2h50min.

A nice leisurely 23.5 mph!!

 

[TheJRB]

The Marshlink, as I referred to earlier, with its 20 mph limits, does the entire route, Ashford to Brighton, 66 miles 54 chains, in 2h50min.

A nice leisurely 23.5 mph!!

The Marshlink itself (Ashford to Hastings) is 60mph in most parts. The full journey to Brighton is extended somewhat by the reversal at Eastbourne which isn't terribly quick (eight minutes from arrival to departure). Admittedly though, it never feels as though you pick up much speed anywhere on the route.

 

[craigwilson]

The Marshlink itself (Ashford to Hastings) is 60mph in most parts. The full journey to Brighton is extended somewhat by the reversal at Eastbourne which isn't terribly quick (eight minutes from arrival to departure). Admittedly though, it never feels as though you pick up much speed anywhere on the route.

I'd forgotten it did that (reversed that is).

It's a bit like the two Ramsgate-Charing Cross services in the morning that reverse at Minster and then continue round the coast. The first is also timetabled as 8 minutes (arr 0746, dep 0754), up from 7 mins before the timetable change. The second is a bit better (arr 0811, dep 0816). The first one just seems to be sat there for *ages* - although that said, it is usually a good opportunity for the guard to get through the train and sell tickets to the schoolkids!!

Is there a minimum time laid down in the timetable planning rules for how long a reversal should take (relative to train length of course)?

 

[AndyLandy]

The Marshlink, as I referred to earlier, with its 20 mph limits, does the entire route, Ashford to Brighton, 66 miles 54 chains, in 2h50min.

A nice leisurely 23.5 mph!!

On the subject of Brighton, the West Coastway is tediously slow. Southampton to Brighton, 62m 6ch. 1h45m. Gives an average speed of about 35.5mph. Of course, I don't think it's the running that's slow, I suspect it's more the huge number of station calls made along the route.

 

[Jimini]

How about the crawl from Marlow to Maidenhead? I've not been on it for a few years but there's at least one 5mph open crossing that I can remember, plus the reversal at Bourne End. 26min timetabled to do 6.92 miles = 18.05mph average speed.

 

[atomicdanny]

Not sure if it counts but the bend around Strood (Chatham Main Line) to just after Gillingham? I hear that is 30mph all the way? Although the curve from Strood station to Rochester Bridge is also steep and slow too! There is also the sharp curve out of Dover Priory towards Folkestone where the Western Docks used to be!

 

[pendolino]

Balham to West Croydon via Crystal Palace always seems incredibly slow:

20 out of Balham and over the junction, then up to 30 until Streatham Hill depot, then linespeed rises to 50 but you're lucky to get to 35-40 before needing to brake for Streatham Hill.

50 leaving Streatham Hill but you might make 40-45 before braking for the 30 at Leigham Jct which continues along the spur and over West Norwood Jct before dropping to 20 through West Norwood.

Just beyond West Norwood linespeed increases to 35, then 50 but again you're lucky to get to 40 before braking for Gipsy Hill. Linespeed is 50 into Crystal Palace tunnel but we're not supposed to go much above 30-35 in case of being wrong routed in the tunnel.

Then it's 15 over the junction and through the platform, 25 once clear of the platform, then linespeed rises to 50, but if you're going to Norwood Jct the signal at Bromley Jct will be at red so you can't take too much power, maybe 35-40 tops.

20 over Bromley Jct, 30 down the spur but linespeed drops down to 20 at the bottom so there's no point taking power. 20 pretty much all the way into Norwood Jct, especially as the starter will be at red if routed into P6 (approach control again).

25 out of Norwood for the crossover onto the down Wallington, then maybe up to 35 before needing to brake for the 20 speed on the overbridge, which continues for what seems like ever over Gloucester Rd Jct before rising to 60 for a short distance before dropping again to 45 on the bend into West Croydon - but it's very common to be held at a red outside W Croydon if there's a LOROL terminating in the platform so the 60 speed is irrelevant.

Average speed: maybe 30 mph?

 

[Searle]

The slowest train I have recorded is from London Bridge - London St. Pancras, which took 16 minutes to travel 3.17 miles, averaging 12mph, and that was gaining 2 minutes!

The slowest I've found is London Bridge - Farringdon, taking 14 minutes to do 1.68 miles, at a speedy 7.9 mph

 

[tsr]

The Greenford branch line feels especially slow as soon as you're away from the GWML.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Aylesbury - Princes Risborough is 40mph all the way, with a 20mph restriction over the level crossing.

 

[paul1609]

The Marshlink itself (Ashford to Hastings) is 60mph in most parts. The full journey to Brighton is extended somewhat by the reversal at Eastbourne which isn't terribly quick (eight minutes from arrival to departure). Admittedly though, it never feels as though you pick up much speed anywhere on the route.

In reality on Marshlink proper you are only likely to achieve 60 mph between Ashford and Rye. Linespeed is only 40 mph between doleham and Hastings with a 10 mph psr at Winchelsea station for the oopen crossing. Limits on and off the single sections are 20 mph.. All a far cry from the 85 mph. of steam days.

 

[CarltonA]

The daily Chiltern service to Paddington is something of a grind especially between Perivale and Hanger Lane. Not sure of the speed but not much above walking pace though it may change when (if) HS2 takes over.

 

[sheff'd victoria]

What about the Penistone line? That is seriously slow going, but that's more to c*** trains and lots of stations and passing waits I guess.

It was not pre-1983 , then the Sheffield Midland - Huddersfield service went via the closed Sheffield Victoria station then onto Penistone and missed out Barnsley.

South Yorkshire PTE then had the bright idea in May 1983 of changing the route from this to via Barnsley , this then gave BR the green light to shut the section from Deepcar to Penistone, to say their was an outcry is an understatement, people were hoping SYPTE would open Wadsley Bridge ( for Hillsborough ), Oughtibridge & Deepcar station.

Common sence and South Yorkshire PTE have never gone hand in hand sorry to say

 

[Old Yard Dog]

The Metrolink line to Eccles goes at snails pace in comparison with Northen Rail.

 

[tractakid]

Shepherd's Bush to Willesden Junction/Wembley Central seems to be slow on OG/SN services.

 

[lewisf]

Shepherd's Bush to Willesden Junction/Wembley Central seems to be slow on OG/SN services.

That's because of the voltage changeover at North Pole junction.

 

[tractakid]

I figured that SN services had to change from overhead to third rail, but I didn't expect there would be the same issue for Overground trains heading along the North London Line

 

[TheJRB]

I figured that SN services had to change from overhead to third rail, but I didn't expect there would be the same issue for Overground trains heading along the North London Line

The last I heard, Overground trains can change voltage whilst moving but Southern trains must stop before doing so. I don't know if that's still the case however.

 

[wulfruna]

The slowest service I know of is Wolverhampton to Walsall. By rail these two stations are only 7 miles apart yet the journey takes 55 mins. Making the average speed a shade under 8mph.

It takes so long, because these trains are fired away from Wolverhampton Station using an oxbow trajectory towards a planet called Birmingham some 13 light years away through the constellation known as the Stour Valley where Birmingham's gravitational force is used to bend the train back through the Grand Junction constellation towards Walsall, another 9 light years away.

This whole process is a minor irritation to those of us who live in the real world - a world that does not rotate around planet Birmingham.

For in the real world these two stations were once served by a direct service with a journey time of just 12 mins. Some 30 mins quicker than the bus - which is the only alternative. Unless you drive, which most do because public transport between these two places is very slow. Welldone NWM (viz the Centro/CT/LM elements) and your excuse for removing the service is……? Well, we all know why now don’t we.

 

[Gareth Marston]

The slowest service I know of is Wolverhampton to Walsall. By rail these two stations are only 7 miles apart yet the journey takes 55 mins. Making the average speed a shade under 8mph.

It takes so long, because these trains are fired away from Wolverhampton Station using an oxbow trajectory towards a planet called Birmingham some 13 light years away through the constellation known as the Stour Valley where Birmingham's gravitational force is used to bend the train back through the Grand Junction constellation towards Walsall, another 9 light years away.

This whole process is a minor irritation to those of us who live in the real world - a world that does not rotate around planet Birmingham.

For in the real world these two stations were once served by a direct service with a journey time of just 12 mins. Some 30 mins quicker than the bus - which is the only alternative. Unless you drive, which most do because public transport between these two places is very slow. Welldone NWM (viz the Centro/CT/LM elements) and your excuse for removing the service is……? Well, we all know why now don’t we.

Wasn't it the last thing the SRA did before it was abolished? (Wellington-Walsall stopper withdrawn and the 2 semi fasts from Shrewsbury to Birmingham were cut to 1 and an all stations service).

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The dedicated Wolves-Walsall hourly shuttle (usually a 153 I think) lasted a year (?) from Dec 08-Dec 09. It was removed on the grounds of it being largely empty off-peak (indeed once when I did it on a Saturday there were perhaps 5 onboard), much like the Gloucester-Worcester shuttles. As useful as I'm sure it was during the peak, it didn't and I can't see it making much traffic off-peak, and I do have to say I think the 153 is better used strengthening the Snow Hill line / Shrewsbury and Rugeley services. The 'gravitational force' of Birmingham didn't play a role in its demise - the service that way already existed and had no implications (to any great degree at least) of the shuttle's demise - its own lack of use was the reason! Perhaps a couple of new stations along the route of the shuttle may once more reignite its running, but until then, I'm afraid I don't see it returning.

 

[Statto]

The Metrolink line to Eccles goes at snails pace in comparison with Northen Rail.

That's because of the Street running from Salford Quays to Eccles & twisting nature of the route, the NR line doesn't have that problem & is more direct.

Bidston-Wrexham feels slow 60 min for 27 miles.

 

[miikey]

ROU Romford to Upminster line is 30 max.

 

[Andrewlong]

The new southern overground route from clapham junction to Denmark Hill is not exactly fast!

 

[trainmananthon]

Blackpool South - Colne - 49mi 11ch in 1h 48m, average speed of 27.3mph.

Not sure what the linespeed on the East Lancs is but the York service never seems that fast.

The highest speeds are 70-75 mph on east lancs, but then drops to 50 and below for the rest of the journey with 26 stops on a pacer

 

[Bedpan]

Surely has to be Plymouth-Gunnislake? Yes, the Plymouth-Bere Alston section is generally around 50/55mph, but after reversing at Bere Alston the speed limit is 10 and 15mph for the rest of the way - that section takes around 20 minutes for a 5 mile journey.

I'd say that it would be reasonable to contend that Bere Alston - Gunnislake is a separate route as it is/was a branch off the LSWR Plymouth - Exeter main line. Despite what it says in the timetable I'm not sure how it can only take 20/21 mins for a 4.5 mile journey though as this assumes an average speed of 13.5mph, with a max line speed of 20mph and a stop at Calstock.

 

[sheff'd victoria]

I'd say that it would be reasonable to contend that Bere Alston - Gunnislake is a separate route as it is/was a branch off the LSWR Plymouth - Exeter main line. Despite what it says in the timetable I'm not sure how it can only take 20/21 mins for a 4.5 mile journey though as this assumes an average speed of 13.5mph, with a max line speed of 20mph and a stop at Calstock.

This line was in the Rail magazine a few weeks ago, are their not plans to extend this line ?